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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 175 FILED ON: 1/11/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 591
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Michael D. Brady
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to communications between health insurers and patients.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Michael D. BradySecond Plymouth and Norfolk 1 of 1
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 175 FILED ON: 1/11/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 591
By Mr. Brady, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 591) of Michael D. Brady for
legislation relative to communications between health insurers and patients. Financial Services.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 628 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to communications between health insurers and patients.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Section 10 CHAPTER 176O, as most recently amended by Chapter 224 of the Acts of
22012 is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph at the end thereof:
3 (d) No carrier or its representatives may initiate communications with its insured
4members or their families regarding end of life treatment options or emergency code status
5responses for a patient without that patient’s treating physician’s knowledge or presence.
6 (e) No accountable care organization or any other entity that contracts to provide health
7care services to patients on a contractual basis which requires Division of Insurance certification
8may initiate communications with its patients or their families regarding end of life treatment
9options or emergency code status responses for a patient without that patient’s treating
10physician’s knowledge or presence.